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It was 2005 and Holter, 17 at the time, called 911 to report heavy smoke near his home in Salem Township. The local fire department responded and couldn’t locate the source. They found a new member in Holter, instead.

“I ended up following them back to the fire station and the rest is his-tory,” Holter, 32, said.

Holter changed his plans to pursue a degree in the history of political science and went to Luzerne County Community College to become a firefighter, emergency medical techni-cian and paramedic.

Other than time working as a paid firefighter in Connecticut, Holter has spent most of his time locally as a First Responder. He’s a captain with the Laflin Volunteer Fire Depart-ment, an emergency medical tech-nician with the Pittston Township Ambulance Association and a para-medic with Pennsylvania Ambulance. His wife Elyse also works full-time as a paramedic with Pennsylvania

Ambulance.Out of uniform, Holter is self-em-

ployed and the Republican candidate for state representative of the 118th legislative district in the November general election.

It’s taken training, commitment, courage, sacrifice, and compassion, among other things to be able to an-swer the calls that Holter and others like him do.

“No calls are routine. There are folks that we go out for routinely,” Holter said. For some of them, however, there is a need to access long-term care beyond the 20 to 30 minutes given them as First Respond-ers, he acknowledged.

“We all wish we could actually fix bigger problems,” Holter said.

When on calls the training kicks in and their actions “almost become robotic,” Holter said. He and others recently treated a person who acci-dentally cut an artery and the per-son’s coworker was amazed at their ability to handle the situation.

By Jerry Lynottjlynott@timesleader.com

First Responders: Andrew HolterPosition: Laflin Volunteer Fire Department, an emergency medical technician with the Pittston Township Ambulance Association and a paramedic with Pennsylvania Ambulance

Andrew Holter

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When the smoke cleared Andrew Holter knew which way he wanted to go.

“We have tried telling folks for years anybody can have a roll in their local fire department.”

“There’s times where we don’t think anything of it,” Holter said.

Not everyone who joins a volunteer fire department is expected to rush into a burning building or respond to an emergency, however.

“We have tried telling folks for years anybody can have a roll in their local fire department,” Holter said.

Putting out fires is a small per-centage of what they do, most of it involves maintaining equipment, fundraising and even administrative work. “Those are the jobs anybody could do,” Holter said.

He wished more people would join

up, but times have changed with both parents in a household working full time and kids often leaving to attend school and work. The cost and time to undergo training also can be a bar-rier to joining.

“I think there are a lot of things working against us,” Holter said.

A possible solution might be for people to take a different look at their local fire department. There are all kinds of civic groups that are ac-tive in the area, Holter said. “I would like people to think of their local fire department as one of those civic groups.”

Times Leader2 Thursday, June 25, 2020 First Responders

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As Ford explained, his wife was out of town helping a friend whose hus-band had just passed away. He said he went to bed, felt dizzy and sat up.

“I then passed out, fell forward and hit my head,” Ford said. “I laid on the floor until I came to and I called my friend Chico (John Kirn) who is an EMT.”

Kirn works as a paramedic with the Plains Township Ambulance and at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospi-tal. He is one of the first responders being honored by the Times Leader Media Group.

Ford said Kirn called the ambu-lance then he rushed to Ford’s house, arriving before the ambulance.

Ford said he flat-lined once at home and three or four times in the ambu-lance, and then again at the hospital.

“Chico was with me all the time and he helped keep me alive,” Ford said. “He stayed at the hospital until my daughter came.”

Ford said he suffered a concussion,

a broken nose, and broken neck.“Chico not only got me to the

hospital, he helped keep me sane and steady in my rehab and recovery,” Ford said. “He helped save my life.”

Ford said he had surgery at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital wore a neck brace for a year and a half.

“Chico was caring, kind and profes-sional,” Ford said.

Ford said his pacemaker had failed, which caused the problem, so replace-ment surgery was necessary.

“Chico was always there for me and he sat with my wife daughter and waited with them,” Ford said. “He kept them sane and he offered encouragement.”

Ford said Kirn is “a strong EMT who was always there when needed.

“He helped save my life ,” Ford said. “I got to meet my first great-grandchild on Aug. 10 ,2019. That wouldn’t have been possible without Chico’s quick professional care.”

Kirn, 60, lives in Mountain Top with his wife, Pam, and their two children. He’s been a paramedic for 11 years and an EMT since 1976.

Kirn said Ford is a good friend who he met in a coffee shop more than 20 years ago. He said he was humbled by his nomination by Ford.

“The way I look at it, I just did my job,” Kirn said. “That’s kind of what we do as paramedics. It’s what we learned to do and its what we do for

all patients. If they need help, we do what we have to do to keep patients going.”

Kirn said Paramedic Chris Scav-one was with him on the call to help Ford.

Kirn said he decided to become a paramedic to help people.

“Sometimes the outcome isn’t good,” he said. “We just do our best. We do what we’re trained for and get the patients to the hospital.”

By Bill O’Boyleboboyle@timesleader.com

First Responders: John ‘Chico’ KirnPosition: Paramedic with the Plains Township Ambulance and at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital

Kirn

WILKES-BARRE — On April 22, 2018 — his daughter’s birthday — Rick Ford learned first-hand what his

friend, paramedic John “Chico” Kirn did for a living.

“We just do our best. We do what we’re trained for and get the patients to the hospital.”

Sereyka has served in the City of Wilkes-Barre Police Department since 2002. Sereyka is a police officer for the city and he is one of the first responders being honored by the Times Leader Media Group.

He is a graduate of Coughlin High School and King’s College, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Sereyka resides in Wilkes-Barre.

Sereyka said he is an 18-year vet-eran in the city’s patrol division.

“I have been on the Attorney Gen-eral’s Drug Task Force, taking part in controlled drug purchases and search warrants on vehicles and residences,” Sereyka said.

Sereyka said he has also assisted in saving dozens of lives during the current “opioid epidemic” in Wilkes-

Barre and the state of Pennsylvania.“I have made hundreds of arrests

through daily calls for service and patrol,” Sereyka said.

Sereyka said he has assisted in getting numerous people the mental health,drug/alcohol help they need. He has assisted in saving shooting victims — with city detectives — in the Sherman Hills Apartments.

“I go to work daily hoping to help as many people as I can,” Sereyka said. “Keeping a positive attitude with the overwhelming negative aspects of the job — murders, rapes, assaults and death — is extremely important.

“We have to deal with these things on a daily basis.”

Sereyka said he has been involved

with NEPA-SCCA — Northeast Pennsylvania Sports Car Club of America — helping the organization donate new bullet-proof vests to the “Fallen Officer Remembered” organi-zation.

Those vests are then donated to officers who use them in the line of duty.

Sereyka said he was a finalist in the

2010 Times Leader Jefferson Awards program.

“Every day out on the job, I try to make a positive difference in every-one’s life,” Sereyka said. “Especially during this pandemic. More than normal, I observed a lot of people stressed out. I want them all to go home safe.”

By Bill O’Boyleboboyle@timesleader.com

First Responders: Jeremy Sereyka

Jeremy Sereyka

WILKES-BARRE — Jeremy Sereyka approaches his job every day in a professional manner and he takes

it very seriuously, but he also enjoys what he does.

Position: Wilkes-Barre City Police Officer

“I go to work daily hoping to help as many people as I can. Keeping a positive attitude with the overwhelming negative aspects of the job — murders, rapes, assaults and death — is extremely important.”

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“There are a lot of things I love about my job because it isn’t really like work for me,” Chiumento said. “It is kind of a cliche thing to say but I enjoy helping people.”

Chiumento has found his passion, which is helping others. He works full time as a paramedic with Medic 29 as well as working part time with Pittston City Fire, Jenkins Township Fire, Plains Township Fire, Pittston Township Fire and Wilkes-Barre City Ambulance. On top of everything, he volunteers with the Avoca Fire Department.

“There is a chance that you are going to help someone on the worst possible day that they can have,” Chiumento said. “That is what makes this job so rewarding, being in the

public eye and helping people when they need it most.”

Chiumento is going on his fourth year as a paramedic but he kicked his career off at the Avoca Fire Depart-ment nearly 10 years ago.

“I’ve been a member of the Avoca Fire Department for nearly 10 years now,” Chiumento said. “It is where I got my start, and I’m pretty big on not forgetting my roots and staying humble.”

With all of the jobs that Chiumento has, he has dedicated most of his free time to helping others as a paramedic and firefighter.

“Knowing that I have the ability to possibly help someone inspires me to get out of bed and drives me to go to work everyday,” Chiumento said.

“There are a lot of other people out there that do the exact same thing I do, and we can go out and make a dif-ference in someone’s life everyday.”

A lot of people struggle to find their passion, but Chiumento grew up watching his father serve in the same field.

“My dad was a medic/firefighter for around 32 years,” Chiumento said. “As a kid I spent a lot of time around the fire house, and it felt like it was the right thing for me to do.”

With all of the jobs and commit-ments Chiumento has made, he has dedicated his time to helping others.

“I wish I could give an exact number of how many hours I work but it varies,” Chiumento said. “I do have days off but I sign up for when I can work at each place and then see where I go from there.”

Joseph Chiumento is a very hard-working man whose career and per-sonal time are dedicated to helping those who need him most.

By Ben MandellForTimes Leader

“Knowing that I have the ability to possibly help someone inspires me to get out of bed and drives me to go to work everyday. There are a lot of other people out there that do the exact same thing I do, and we can go out and make a difference in someone’s life everyday.”

First Responders: Joseph Chiumento

Joseph Chiumento

They say you won’t work a day in your life if you love what you do and Joseph Chiumento spends a lot of

time working.

Position: Paramedic/firefighter

Times Leader4 Thursday, June 25, 2020 First Responders

F4

“You never know what you’re going to be getting into on any given day,” Rennick said. “I love it.”

Rennick’s been a member of the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department for almost his entire career, but he’s not originally from the area.

He grew up in New York, where his uncle was a New York City police of-ficer and detective. Rennick decided he wanted to follow in his uncle’s footsteps after the tragic events of Sept. 11.

“9-11 made me want to be a police officer,” Rennick said. “I saw that, and I knew what I wanted to do.”

After graduating from the police academy, an experience that Rennick enjoyed, he made his way to Wilkes-Barre. He did a five-month stint with the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department before being hired full-time by the city.

He’s seen a lot in his time on the force, receiving numerous commen-dations for his service, including a combat cross and a life-saving medal for thwarting an attempted suicide.

“I love helping people,” Rennick said. “It’s the most rewarding part of

the job.”Not every call is as serious as that,

however, part of the sheer random-ness of Rennick’s job.

“I’ve gotten calls from parents whose kids won’t go to school,” Ren-nick said. “There’s not much I could really do in that situation, but I go anyway and try to help out.”

The department had to cut down on responding to a lot of those low-priority calls as the COVID-19 pandemic swept through the city.

“We tried to handle everything but the highest-priority calls over the phone,” Rennick said. “Now that we’re heading back through the yellow phase into green, things are starting to pick back up again.”

The hard work doesn’t stop for Rennick when he takes off the uniform. A husband and father, Ren-nick’s got plenty to do in his home life that keeps him just as busy, and just as fulfilled, as his work in law enforcement does.

“It could get a little crazy some-times, but I love every second of it,” Rennick said. “Having kids is the best feeling in the world.”

By Kevin Carrollkcarroll@timesleader.com

“I love helping people. It’s the most rewarding part of the job.”

Photo courtesy of Mitchell Rennick

First Responders: Mitchell Rennick

Mitchell Rennick of the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department.

WILKES-BARRE — Mitchell Rennick has learned to em-brace the unknown. As a police officer for 16 years,

the unpredictability of the job is what he loves most.

Position: Wilkes-Barre City Police Officer

First Responders: Edward PatlaPosition: Corrections Officer at SCI-Dallas

“Some of the people that come through here realize what they’ve done wrong, and they want to change. These are the people that I try to focus on.”

By Kevin Carrollkcarroll@timesleader.com

It’s not a glamorous job, or one that people even know much about. And that’s exactly how Patla likes it.

“Corrections work is the best-kept secret around,” Patla said. “The public may not know who we are, but we all know each other and we’re a tight bunch.”

Working in the De-partment of Corrections is a family affair for Patla, a lifelong resident of the Back Mountain.

His father is a retired corrections officer, but Patla says that his reasoning for going into the field doesn’t com-pletely stem from his father.

“When I got out of the Marines, I was just looking for what was available,” Patla said. “There was an opening, and I took it.”

His wife, Krista, also works at SCI-Dallas as a parole agent, although Patla says that they keep their distance

from one another at the prison.

“She works in the business area, I do my thing in the back,” Patla said. “It’s an interesting dynamic, for sure.”

Over his long career, Patla’s seen a lot inside the walls of SCI-Dallas. He says that he tries to help steer inmates away from a life of crime, and help them understand what they’ve done wrong in an attempt to better themselves.

“Some of the people

that come through here realize what they’ve done wrong, and they want to change,” Patla said. “These are the people that I try to focus on.”

As one of the more senior members of the corrections staff at SCI-Dallas, Patla’s built up a reputation as a mentor to some of the younger, newer guards coming into the prison.

His list of certifica-tions is almost too long to measure; chemical

munitions, first aid, CPR, just to name a few. Patla’s also a fire-arms instructor and an expert marksman.

In addition to his work at SCI-Dallas, Patla also lent his expertise to the Depart-ment of Corrections’ K-9 Drug Interdiction Unit as a sergeant for seven years. He came back to Dallas because of the proximity to his home and the time it al-lows him to spend with his family.

The love from his family and friends makes it all worthwhile, according to Patla, as well as the recognition from fellow corrections officers.

“My family and I were at Disney World, and someone yelled my name out of nowhere,” Patla said. “We’re like our own little communi-ty in this line of work.”

DALLAS — For 23 years, Edward Patla has patrolled the corridors as a corrections officer at SCI-Dallas.

Edward Patla has been a corrections officer at SCI-Dallas for 23 years. Because he is a cor-rections officer, he is not allowed to share his photo with the media.

Times Leader file photo

Times Leader Thursday, June 25, 2020 5First Responders

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Appointed to the position by former city Mayor Tony George in late 2018, Coffay seemed like a shoe-in for the position.

According to George at the time of the appoint-ment, Coffay was, and remains to be, a “cop’s cop.”

“I had the privilege to work with Joe when he first came on in 1991 and you could tell then that he was a cop’s cop and he hasn’t changed at all. He still works hard and diligently,” George said on the night of Coffay’s swearing-in.

Coffay is a former detective and captain for the department, working for 12 years alongside the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, a posi-

tion to which he was appointed during George’s time as police chief.

Coffay was one of a dozen candidates to apply for the position after it was vacated by former chief Marcella Lendacky, whose leadership was blasted in a report from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association for lack of professional qualifications.

In the same report, Coffay was praised, and ran the department for six months after Lendacky’s retirement while he worked as Commander of Investigation.

At the time of his swearing-in, Coffay said he had been weighing whether or not to apply for the

job, worried about leaving the job he had had for most of his life.

“About seven months ago I had to make a deci-sion,” Coffay told the audience of family, friends and fellow officers while being sworn in. “It was a life-altering decision. I had to decide whether to retire from a job that defined me for the past 30 years or take a step out of my comfort zone and apply for this position.”

And apply he did. Coffay has served as the city’s chief since 2018.

Times Leader staff report

First Responders: Joseph Coffay

WILKES-BARRE —When Joseph Coffay was promoted to Wilkes-Barre City Police Chief, it came as the cap to a 30-year career in the department.

Times Leader6 Thursday, June 25, 2020 First Responders

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First Responders: Kevin StahleyPosition: Fairview Township Police Officer

“I’ll ask people everything, I find out so much from the community. I find out who needs my help, and I try to

do what I can.”

By Kevin Carrollkcarroll@timesleader.com

“It was a big adjust-ment, moving here to Fairview,” Stahley said. “In the city, things would be going on all night. Out here, it’s much more family-ori-ented and a bit quieter.”

Stahley spent the first seven years of his ca-reer in law enforcement as a part-time officer in Wilkes-Barre Town-ship. After a while, he decided that a change was necessary.

“I needed medi-cal benefits, mainly,” Stahley said. “A friend tipped me off to an opening in Fairview

Township, and I took it.”

The police depart-ment wasn’t always Stahley’s plan. For most of his younger years, he aspired to be a school teacher instead. But a ride-along with his police officer brother changed his whole outlook.

“I knew from that night that this was in my blood,” Stahley said.

After completing the Act 120 program at Lackawanna College, Stahley says that he was scooped up by Wilkes-Barre Township about

three months later.His job eventually

brought him to Fair-view Township, a spot that he’s enjoyed very much.

“It’s nice out here, you know everybody and everybody knows you,” Stahley said.

The job isn’t just about good and bad, or “cops and robbers,” as Stahley put it. It’s about servicing the communi-ty, and for that, Stahley has learned to tap into the community to find out what’s going on.

“I’ll ask people everything, I find out

so much from the com-munity,” Stahley said. “I find out who needs my help, and I try to do what I can.”

It’s this part of the job that rewards Stahley above all else: the ability to be a force for good.

“There is an evil side to this world, and my

job is to steer people away from that,” Stah-ley said.

To this day, Stahley still has a few letters from people he’s ar-rested, folks who have turned themselves around and, in turn, reached out to Stahley to thank him.

“It’s humbling, for

sure,” Stahley said.When he clocks out

and takes off the uni-form, Stahley assumes a new position: father. He and his wife have a 1-year-old daughter.

“She’s the light of my life, my whole family is,” Stahley said. “I love her so much.”

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP — From the bustle of Wilkes-Barre Township to the relative quiet of Fairview Town-

ship, Kevin Stahley has served two very different com-munities in his 22 years as a police officer.

Photo courtesy of Kevin StahleyFairview Township police officer Kevin Stahley has served the township for 15 years.

Times Leader Thursday, June 25, 2020 7First Responders

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FamilyCall your family immediately after

the storm to let them know you’re safe and sound and to confirm that they are as well. If you’re incapable of doing so due to downed phone lines or interrupted mobile or internet service, do so the moment you regain access to such services. If you’re hav-ing trouble reaching a family member who also was in the line of the storm, contact a government agency, such as FEMA in the United States or Public Safety Canada in Canada, for help finding a missing loved one.

Local utility companyIf there are any downed power

lines on or around your property, contact your local utilities provider immediately. Contact the company even if you suspect your neighbors might have already called. Downed power lines pose a dangerous threat to anyone within their vicinity, so avoid them until the company re-sponds.

PolicePolice can direct callers to shelters

if they need lodging or food and water after a natural disaster. Police also can help people who were hurt during a storm or those who may be safe but incapable of getting out of their homes on their own. In addi-tion, police might be able to conduct wellness visits to see if relatives you cannot reach are safe. Such visits may not always be possible, as police and other first responders tend to be busy in the wake of natural disasters, but the police may know that cer-tain areas are dealing with a lack of

electricity, even though residents are otherwise safe.

Insurance agencyWhether you own or rent your

home or apartment, contact your insurance agency in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Agencies may send inspectors to assess the damage, and

the earlier you call the more quickly such inspections can take place. Call-ing as soon as possible after disaster strikes can get your claim on the books and hasten the reimbursement process if inspectors find any dam-age that’s covered under the terms of your policy. Drivers also should

contact their insurance companies immediately if their vehicles were damaged during a natural disaster.

Knowing who to call in the wake of a natural disaster can calm people’s nerves and start them on the path to recovery.

Who to call when disaster strikesNatural disasters can strike at any time. People in the path of such disasters can have

their lives turned upside down in a matter of moments. Knowing what to do, including who to call, when a natural disaster strikes can help people get back on their feet.

Times Leader8 Thursday, June 25, 2020 First Responders

F8

Household emergencies can occur at any time. When disaster strikes, knowing how to proceed effectively can make a world of difference and po-tentially save lives. Fortunately it’s easy to prevent or reduce a wide range of household dangers by embracing some simple safety measures.

Accidental falls: The Centers for Disease Con-trol and Prevention says that accidental falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injury among nearly every age group. Roughly three million adults age 65 and older experience falls that result in emer-gency room visits each year in the United States. Falls can be prevented by removing tripping hazards, installing steady handrails and other sup-ports and adding lighting in and around a home. If a fall should occur, stabilize the limb or injured area of the body and seek medical assistance.

Kitchen fires: The potential for danger exists whenever cooking with heat or over open flames. Kitchen fires may occur, but they don’t have to spread or cause serious issues if fast action is taken. Never use water to put out a grease fire — it will only spread it and make it worse. Cover the fire with a lid to suffocate the flames, or use baking soda to douse the fire. Always have an all-purpose fire extinguisher on hand, and know how to operate it.

Burst pipes: Burst pipes or leaking plumbing can quickly cause major damage in a home. Dwell Residential Group says to locate the water main, which is usually in the basement or garage on the “street side” near the water meter. Turn off the main to save the home and your wallet. Make the water main visible, mark which way is off, and instruct others in the house on how to use it.

Tipping furniture: Tip-over incidents send thousands of people (especially young children) to emergency rooms each year, says the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Top-heavy items, like dressers, TV stands and televisions, bureaus, and bookcases should be anchored to the wall.

Unintentional poisoning: People may inad-vertently consume household poisons. State Farm advises calling 9-1-1 if the victim is unconscious or not breathing. If the person is alert, consult with the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222 (or the Ontario Poison Centre at 1-800-268-9017) and await instructions. Keep the bottle or packaging of the assumed poi-son on hand and be prepared to discuss symptoms and personal information about the victim.

Fire or other danger: No one ever thinks an emergency situation necessitating escape from the home will take place. But to play it safe, residents should designate emergency exits that are the quickest and safest ways out of every room in the house. Practice this plan and pick a specific meet-ing spot outside.

Safety at home involves knowing how to act fast in an emergency and how to reduce your risk of being in potentially dangerous situations.

Common home emergencies, and how to prevent themDorothy Gale said “there’s no place

like home” in “The Wizard of Oz.” But what about when homes are no longer safe?

Shelter-in-place and lockdown are two different methods of remaining secure and awaiting help or information from law enforcement. Knowing the difference between the two can be life-saving during emergencies, advises the United States Army.

Shelter-in-placeA variety of situations can necessitate a shelter-in-place outcome. Shelter-in-

place may be instituted in response to severe weather, a chemical, biological or radiological contamination that has been released into the environment, or another possible threat, such as nearby police activity. It is used when a higher degree of protection is warranted inside of a building.

When shelter-in-place is advised, it is best to seek cover in the nearest build-ing. The security system company Total Security says to find an interior room or hallway and stay away from exterior windows. Lobbies, walkways, atriums, or other large rooms with access windows are not recommended. In certain situations, ventilation systems should be turned off and windows and doors sealed. People should remain where they are until the all-clear is issued. The Riverside County Office of Education says that a shelter-in-place plan is gener-ally a safer approach than evacuating people into a potentially contaminated or dangerous outdoor environment.

LockdownA lockdown, also known as secure-in-place, is a technique typically used to

prevent access from an outside intruder, such as a hostile or armed person. The Army says that when a lockdown is advised, people should barricade themselves in a room with no windows, if possible. If this is not available, they should stay away from windows and avoid making themselves visible to any potential threat. The San Juan Unified School District says that doors will be locked and window coverings will be pulled closed. Everyone shall remain silent until the threat is over.

Shelter-in-place is an elevated state of alert while a lockdown is the highest level of alert. In most cases, access and egress to the facility will be halted and communication in and out of the building also may cease until security is maintained and confirmed.

Safety professionals advise that drills take place so that all personnel can act quickly in the event shelter-in-place or a lockdown is necessary.

Shelter and lockdown help keep people safeIn an emergency situations, buildings that can hold large

numbers of people can quickly become chaotic if indi-viduals do not know how to respond to perceived threats in an orderly fashion. In recent years, schools, office buildings and shopping malls have gone to great lengths to understand and practice two of the major ways of securing a facility: shelter-in-place and lockdown.

Times Leader Thursday, June 25, 2020 9First Responders

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While no one wants to imagine themselves in dangerous situations, being realistic about the like-lihood of being in an emergency can help people safeguard themselves against such situations.

One way to prepare for emergencies is to make sure you and potential first responders or medical personnel know who to call should you be unable to communicate. Likely many things in the digital age, the process of indicating emergency contacts has changed.

Mobile phone ICEAll people are urged to designate an “in case of

emergency” contact on their mobile phones. This way a first responder or other emergency person-nel can notify the appropriate people in emergency situations. In 2004, after research from Vodafone found that fewer than 25 percent of people carried any emergency contact details on their persons, a campaign was started by Bob Brotchie of the East of England Ambulance Service in the United King-dom to start providing emergency contact informa-tion. Brotchie urged mobile phone manufacturers to support the campaign by adding an ICE heading to phone number lists of all new mobile phones. Emergency contact information also should be provided for school children and with a person’s employer and updated regularly.

Medical alertEmergencies may arise due to life-threatening

medical conditions. If a person is in a situation in which they are unconscious or unable to speak,

a medical alert card or bracelet can help first responders provide medical care more quickly. Bracelets and other jewelry, like those offered from the MedicAlert® Foundation, are engraved with critical information for conditions like autism, allergies, dementia, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or epilepsy. They can provide peace of mind and speak for the person wearing one in an emergency.

Health care proxyPeople should consider naming a health care

proxy. This can be any whom they trust. The proxy can make health care decisions for another if he or she is unable to speak. Naming a proxy ensures that one gets the healthcare he or she prefers in the event they cannot communicate their wishes. Sometimes healthcare proxies are merged with living wills as one advanced directive docu-ment, according to the Medicare Rights Center.

Preparing for emergency situations, however unlikely they may seem, includes employing vari-ous strategies to help emergency responders and medical personnel in the event you are incapable of communicating with them.

Alert others in emergenciesEmergencies occur every day. Data

from the 2016 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey found around 145 million emergency department visits are made in the United States each year. Of those visits, 42.2 million are injury-related. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says Canadians make about 14 million visits to hospital emergency departments annually.

Be prepared in an Emergency situation!

. Dial 9-1-1 for all emergencies. Know where your emergency is. Know what your emergency is

. Always answer questions, remain calm and don’t disconnect until

the calltaker is finished.

. My Physical Address is:

. Apartment/Room/Suite #

. My Municipality is:

. My Phone number:

Boro / Township / City

Luzerne County 9-1-1Your First Contact in an Emergency!

In Luzerne County, 9-1-1 calls are answered by trained professionals working to send emergency response agencies to your location as quickly as possible. Luzerne County 9-1-1 has valuable resources available to assist the residents and visitors

of our county including, but not limited to: language translation services during emergencies, text to 9-1-1 (call when you can, text when you can’t) and emergency medical instructions. Below are

some useful tips for callers requiring emergency assistance.

Following these suggestions during a 9-1-1 call will help save valuable time when seconds matter!

Do Not HaNg Up – during times of high call volume, you will hear a recording advising you to remain on the line – your call will be answered in the order is it received.

proviDe yoUr locatioN –Provide the call-taker your address, including the street name and the EXACT municipality of the incident and the business/commonplace name, if it is known. If the address is unknown, provide the 9-1-1 Telecommunicator with as much information as possible to help locate the incident.

remaiN calm – although it is difficult, and it is understood that you are experiencing an emergency, try to remain calm and speak clearly, in order for the Telecommunicator to understand you and dispatch first responders to your location promptly.

aNswer tHe QUestioNs – Luzerne County 9-1-1 Telecommunicators are trained to ask specific questions related to the location and incident, so it is important to answer the questions to the best of your ability. While the call-taker is processing your call, information is sent almost immediately to the dispatcher, so continuing to answer questions does not create a delay in getting you the help needed.

Teach your children their physical address and create your free safety profile by visiting www.Smart911.com

For additional information, or questions regarding Smart911, contact Angela Czapla at 570-826-3071 or Angela.Czapla@luzernecounty.org. Additional resources can be found on our website: www.luzernecounty.org under the “9-1-1 Communications” link.

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency, often referred to as FEMA, notes that people need to send and receive information from their families during disasters. Unfortunately, there’s no guar-antee that communication networks like mobile phones and computers will be reliable during disasters, when electricity may be interrupted and mobile towers might be compromised. As a result, it’s imperative that people develop communication plans with their families so they can reach one another in the wake of natural disasters. Three simple steps can help families as they begin devis-ing their emergency communication plans.

1. Collect all necessary information.Gather and jot down the names and contact

information of all family members, making sure to create a paper copy that will be accessible whether

the electricity or mobile tower goes out or not. Include names, phone numbers and addresses of nearby friends and family members, as well as anyone who lives close enough to potentially offer temporary shelter should your home be damaged or pose a threat. Include the names, phone num-bers and addresses of medical facilities, doctors, schools, or service providers on the list as well. Elderly men and women can include the names of all medications they take next to the names of the doctors who prescribed them.

2. Distribute the copies.Make copies of your list and distribute them to

everyone in your family, including people who do not live close. Faraway relatives can use the list to try to find you should they be unable to communi-cate with you in the wake of a disaster. Make sure

everyone in your home keeps a printed copy of the list on them at all times, whether it’s in a back-pack, purse or wallet. FEMA notes that those who complete their family communication plan online can print their plans onto wallet-sized cards by visiting ready.gov/make-a-plan. Keep a copy of the list in a central location in your home as well, such as on the refrigerator.

3. Practice your plan. FEMA advises holding regular household

meetings where families can go over their contact information and practice what to do should they need to communicate with one another during an emergency.

Planning is an essential component of disaster preparedness that can save lives and help families find one another in the wake of emergencies.

3 steps to creating a family communication emergency plan

Chaos can quickly set in when natural disasters strike. People who are in the eye of the storm or those with loved ones who are potentially in danger may spend hours, if not days, trying to get in touch with friends and family

to determine if everyone is alright. However temporary it may be, the period between a storm touching down and speaking with loved ones can be agonizing. But there is a way to facilitate communication with loved ones during a natural disaster, and all it takes is some simple planning.

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